The Los Angeles Rams are looking to rebound from the 2019 season as their 9-7 record finished third in the NFC West and a spot on the couch to watch the playoffs. It may sound crazy how a 9-7 record finishes third in the NFC West, but fans should expect the same type of competition for years to come in one of the hardest divisions in the NFL. The biggest question for Los Angeles is can they replicate the double-digit win seasons they saw back in 2017 and 2018? The Rams did have to depart with a few key players from this offseason as Maurice Moton of Bleacher Report states that it will be a huge problem for Los Angeles in 2020. According to Moton, it will be too much to handle and the Rams will finish with a 7-9 record in 2020. Moton States,

The Los Angeles Rams lost key players on both sides of the ball. The team released running back Todd Gurley and linebacker Clay Matthews. The front office traded wideout Brandin Cooks to the Houston Texans. Defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. signed with the Atlanta Falcons during free agency. In 2019, Gurley recorded a career-low 857 rushing yards. Despite his limited volume in certain matchups, he finished scoring drives with 12 touchdowns on the ground. The Rams will have to rely on rookie second-rounder Cam Akers, Malcolm Brown, John Kelly and Darrell Henderson Jr. out of the backfield. No running back on the roster has more than 69 carries in a term on the pro level.

Even though Los Angeles might not have the best running backs in the league in terms of experience, Sean McVay and the Rams are creating a one-two punch with Henderson and Akers which could surprise the league. Moton continues with,

The Rams must figure out a way to generate pocket pressure without Fowler and Matthews, who logged a combined 19.5 sacks last season. Team brass signed Leonard Floyd, whose production for the Chicago Bears didn’t match his draft pedigree (No. 9 overall pick in 2016). The edge-rusher’s sack numbers have declined every year since his rookie campaign

I think everyone can agree that both Fowler and Matthews had a strong increase in sacks in 2019 thanks to Aaron Donald. With the defensive MVP getting double-teamed almost every play, it gives one on one opportunities and it should give new Ram Floyd the chance to shine. Lastly, Moton address

Head coach Sean McVay said Josh Reynolds can fill the starting role in place of Cooks. In 2018, the 6’3″ 196-pounder caught 29 passes for 402 yards and five touchdowns. He didn’t play as much last year, but in glimpses, he has flashed potential. The Rams, however, will miss Cooks’ speed on the perimeter. Secondly, Reynolds has a shaky 50.8 percent catch rate for his career. Second-rounder Van Jefferson could get a fair number of targets in his rookie campaign. In his third season as the full-time starter, quarterback Jared Goff struggled, throwing for 22 touchdowns with 16 interceptions. Los Angeles also fielded the 26th-ranked ground attack. The Rams don’t have an established ball-carrier, and the defense lost key components of the pass rush not named Aaron Donald. Los Angeles will fall below the .500 mark.

Even though the Rams will miss Cooks with his deep threat abilities, it seems Los Angeles is moving into a new personnel on offense with drafting another tight end for the offense. Expect a lot more play actions and rollouts for Goff to get comfortable with the offense. With so much talent on the field for the Rams, defenses could be confused about what might hit them. I love the element of surprise and it seems McVay will have a few tricks up his sleeves for the 2020 season. As for Maurice Moton of B/R, I respect his opinion and will keep this article saved when the Rams have a double-digit win season.

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Alex Alarcon is the Founder and Manager of Rams HQ. Whose House Rams House! Season Ticket Holder Section 341. When not covering the Rams, Alex loves betting the over in his predictions over at Pickswise.com